The purpose of the Division of Academic Affairs is to support the provision of varied
and well-rounded educational programs at the bachelor's, master’s, educational specialist,
and doctoral levels. These programs serve the needs of the people of the state and
the region, as well as foster the development, preservation, dissemination and utilization
of knowledge through effective teaching, learning, research, creativity, and service.

To accomplish its purpose, the academic area of the University is administratively
organized into colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Allied Professions,
Fine and Performing Arts, Health and Human Sciences, and the Kimmel School of Construction
Management and Technology. The Honors College, Hunter Library, and the Graduate School
are additional units in Academic Affairs.

Other units of the University which are administratively responsible to the Division
of Academic Affairs are the Office of Undergraduate Studies (including the Center
for Service Learning, Academic Success Centers, and Cooperative Education and Career
Services, Advising, Academic Success Program and First Year Experience); Enrollment
Management (including Financial Aid, the Registrar’s Office, One Stop, Student Support
Services, and Disability Services); International Programs and Services; Educational
Outreach (including the Cherokee Center and WCU Programs in Asheville); Summer Session;
the Coulter Faculty Commons for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; the Program for
the Study of Developed Shorelines and the Highlands Biological Station.

The Division of Academic Affairs has general responsibility for research administration
(administratively located within the Graduate School and Research Division). Graduate
School and Research is responsible for providing information and services concerned
with funded research, sponsored programs, and other grant/contract activities. The
Division of Academic Affairs also provides oversight for special units such as the
Public Policy Institute (administratively located in the College of Arts and Sciences);
the Small Business and Technology Development Center (administratively located in
the College of Business); the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, the Center
for the Support of Beginning Teachers, the Office of Teacher Recruitment, Advising
and Career Support (all administratively located in the College of Education and Allied
Professions); the Fine and Performing Arts Center (administratively located in the
College of Fine and Performing Arts); the Speech and Hearing Center and the Developmental
Evaluation Center (administratively located in the College of Health and Human Sciences);
and the Center for Rapid Product Realization (administratively located in the Kimmel
School).

The Division of Academic Affairs cooperates with regional and state agencies, including
area health organizations, community colleges and technical institutes, the State
Department of Public Instruction, Appalachian Consortium, and others to meet educational
needs of the region. It works with federal agencies in a variety of ways including
the National Park Service and others from which substantial grants have been received.
Through all of these centers, offices, and programs the University provides an administrative
structure whereby services are provided to the region in cooperation with other community
organizations and divisions.